Prakarana 17

Verse 338 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अब लगि मोहि न मिलेउ कोउ मैं न जनावउँ काहु॥ लोकमान्यता अनल सम कर तप कानन दाहु॥161(क)॥

aba lagi mohi na mileu kou maiṁ na janāuṁ kāhu | lokamānyatā anala sama kari tapa kānana dāhu ||161(ka)||

ଏ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମୋତେ ଏମିତି କେହି ମିଳିନାହିଁ ଯାହାକୁ ମୁଁ ସତ୍ୟରେ ନିଜର ବୋଲି ମାନିପାରିବି; କାହା ପାଖରେ ମୁଁ ନିଜକୁ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରେନି। କାରଣ ଲୋକପ୍ରଶଂସା ଅଗ୍ନି ସମାନ—ଯେତେବେଳେ ତାହାକୁ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରିନେଉ, ସେ ତପସ୍ୟାର ସମଗ୍ର ଅରଣ୍ୟକୁ ଦାହ କରିଦିଏ।

Verse 339 (चौपाई)

तातें गुपुत रहउँ जग माहीं। हरि तजि किमपि प्रयोजन नाहीं।। प्रभु जानत सब बिनहिं जनाएँ। कहहु कवनि सिधि लोक रिझाएँ।। तुम्ह सुचि सुमति परम प्रिय मोरें। प्रीति प्रतीति मोहि पर तोरें।। अब जौं तात दुरावउँ तोही। दारुन दोष घटइ अति मोही।। जिमि जिमि तापसु कथइ उदासा। तिमि तिमि नृपहि उपज बिस्वासा।। देखा स्वबस कर्म मन बानी। तब बोला तापस बगध्यानी।। नाम हमार एकतनु भाई। सुनि नृप बोले पुनि सिरु नाई।। कहहु नाम कर अरथ बखानी। मोहि सेवक अति आपन जानी।।

tāteṁ guputa rahuṁ jaga māhīṁ | hari taji kimapi prayojana nāhīṁ || prabhu jānata saba binahiṁ janāeṁ | kahahu kavani sidhi loka rijhāeṁ || tumha suci sumati parama priya moreṁ | prīti pratīti mohi para toreṁ || aba jauṁ tāta durāuṁ tohī | dāruṇa doṣa ghaṭai ati mohī || jimi jimi tāpasu kathai udāsā | timi timi nṛpahi upaja bisvāsā || dekhā svabasa karma mana bānī | taba bolā tāpasa bagadhyānī || nāma hamāra ekatanu bhāī | suni nṛpa bole puni siru nāī || kahahu nāma kara aratha bakhānī | mohi sevaka ati āpana jānī ||

Therefore I remain hidden in the world; apart from Hari there is no purpose in anything. The Lord knows all without being told. Tell me—by what attainment shall one win the hearts of men? You are pure and of good understanding, most dear to me; your love and trust rest upon me. If now, dear one, I conceal myself from you, a dreadful blame will fall heavily upon me. As the ascetic spoke with seeming detachment, so the king’s confidence grew. Seeing his self-command in deed, mind, and speech, the ascetic—crane-meditator—then spoke. “My name is Ekatanu, brother.” Hearing it, the king spoke again, bowing his head: “Tell me the meaning of your name; deeming me your very own, count me as your servant.”

Verse 340 (दोहा/सोरठा)

आदिसृष्टि उपजी जबहिं तब उतपति भै मोरि। नाम एकतनु हेतु तेहि देह न धरी बहोरि।।162।।

ādisṛṣṭi upajī jabahiṃ taba utpati bhai mori | nāma ekatanu hetu tehi deha na dharī bahori ||162||

ଯେତେବେଳେ ପ୍ରଥମ ସୃଷ୍ଟିର ଉଦୟ ହେଲା, ସେତେବେଳେ ମୋର ଉତ୍ପତ୍ତି ମଧ୍ୟ ହେଲା। ଏକଦେହୀ ‘ନାମ’ର ନିମିତ୍ତେ, ତାପରେ ମୁଁ ପୁନଃ ଦେହ ଧାରଣ କରିନାହିଁ।

Verse 341 (चौपाई)

जनि आचरुज करहु मन माहीं। सुत तप तें दुर्लभ कछु नाहीं।। तपबल तें जग सृजइ बिधाता। तपबल बिष्नु भए परित्राता।। तपबल संभु करहिं संघारा। तप तें अगम न कछु संसारा।। भयउ नृपहि सुनि अति अनुरागा। कथा पुरातन कहै सो लागा।। करम धरम इतिहास अनेका। करइ निरूपन बिरति बिबेका।। उदभव पालन प्रलय कहानी। कहेसि अमित आचरज बखानी।। सुनि महिप तापस बस भयऊ। आपन नाम कहत तब लयऊ।। कह तापस नृप जानउँ तोही। कीन्हेहु कपट लाग भल मोही।।

jani ācaruja karahu mana māhīṁ | suta tapa teṁ durlabha kachu nāhīṁ || tapabala teṁ jaga sṛjai bidhātā | tapabala biṣṇu bhae paritrātā || tapabala saṁbhu karahiṁ saṁghārā | tapa teṁ agama na kachu saṁsārā || bhayu nṛpahi suni ati anurāgā | kathā purātana kahai so lāgā || karama dharama itihāsa anekā | karai nirūpana birati bibekā || udabhava pālana pralaya kahānī | kahesi amita ācaraja bakhānī || suni mahip tāpasa basa bhayū | āpana nāma kahata taba layū || kaha tāpasa nṛpa jānaūṁ tohī | kīṇhehu kapaṭa lāga bhala mohī ||

Do not harbour wonder within your mind: for one’s own son, through austerity, nothing is truly unattainable. By the strength of tapas the Ordainer brings forth the world; by the strength of tapas Viṣṇu became the Deliverer. By the strength of tapas Śambhu works destruction; through tapas nothing in this world remains beyond reach. Hearing this, the king was filled with deep affection, and he began to tell an ancient tale. He expounded many accounts of duty and righteousness, setting forth detachment and discernment. He narrated the story of origin, preservation, and dissolution, and described countless wonders. Listening, the king came under the ascetic’s spell; then, speaking his own name, he took his leave. The ascetic said, “O king, I recognize you: your disguise has pleased me well.”

Verse 342 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनु महीस असि नीति जहँ तहँ नाम न कहहिं नृप। मोहि तोहि पर अति प्रीति सोइ चतुरता बिचारि तव।।163।।

sunu mahīsa asi nīti jahã-tahã nāma na kahahĩ nṛpa | mo-hi to-hi para ati prīti soi caturatā bicāri tava ||163||

“ଶୁଣ, ହେ ମହେଶ! ଏହି ନୀତି—ରାଜାମାନେ ସବୁଠାରେ ଓ ଅନାୟାସରେ ପବିତ୍ର ନାମ ଉଚ୍ଚାରଣ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ତଥାପି ମୋର ତୋପ୍ରତି ଅତିଶୟ ସ୍ନେହ; ଭଲଭାବେ ଭାବିଲେ, ଏହିଏ ତୋର ସତ୍ୟ କୌଶଳ ଓ ବୁଦ୍ଧି।”

Verse 343 (चौपाई)

नाम तुम्हार प्रताप दिनेसा। सत्यकेतु तव पिता नरेसा।। गुर प्रसाद सब जानिअ राजा। कहिअ न आपन जानि अकाजा।। देखि तात तव सहज सुधाई। प्रीति प्रतीति नीति निपुनाई।। उपजि परि ममता मन मोरें। कहउँ कथा निज पूछे तोरें।। अब प्रसन्न मैं संसय नाहीं। मागु जो भूप भाव मन माहीं।। सुनि सुबचन भूपति हरषाना। गहि पद बिनय कीन्हि बिधि नाना।। कृपासिंधु मुनि दरसन तोरें। चारि पदारथ करतल मोरें।। प्रभुहि तथापि प्रसन्न बिलोकी। मागि अगम बर होउँ असोकी।।

nāma tumhār pratāpa dinesā | satyaketu tava pitā naresā || gura prasāda saba jāni-a rājā | kahi-a na āpana jāni akā-jā || dekhi tāta tava sahaja sudhāī | prīti pratīti nīti nipunāī || upaji pari mamatā mana moreṁ | kahauṁ kathā nija pūche toreṁ || aba prasanna maiṁ saṁsaya nāhīṁ | māgu jo bhūpa bhāva mana māhīṁ || suni subacana bhūpati haraṣānā | gahi pada binaya kīnhi bidhi nānā || kṛpāsiṁdhu muni darasana toreṁ | cāri padāratha karatala moreṁ || prabhūhi tathāpi prasanna bilokī | māgi agama bara houṁ asokī ||

“Your Name is glorious, O lord of day; and Satyaketu is your royal father. All is known by the Guru’s grace, O King—do not speak as though you knew it by yourself, lest it be unseemly. Seeing, dear child, your natural goodness—your affection, your trust, and your skill in righteous policy— a tender love has arisen in my heart; I will tell you the tale, since you yourself have asked. Now I am pleased; I have no doubt remaining. Ask, O monarch, whatever desire lies within your mind.” Hearing these gracious words, the king rejoiced; grasping the sage’s feet, he made humble entreaty in many ways: “O ocean of compassion, sage—by the sight of you the four aims of life lie in the palm of my hand; yet, beholding the Lord still more pleasing, I would ask a rare boon, that I may become free from sorrow.”

Verse 344 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जरा मरन दुख रहित तनु समर जितै जनि कोउ। एकछत्र रिपुहीन महि राज कलप सत होउ।।164।।

jarā marana dukha rahita tanu samara jitai jani kou | eka-chhatra ripu-hīna mahi rāja kalapa sata hou ||164||

ତାଙ୍କ ଦେହ ଜରା, ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଓ ଶୋକରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ ହେଉ; ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ କେହି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଜିତି ନ ପାରୁ। ଶତ ଯୁଗ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ପୃଥିବୀକୁ ଏକାଧିକାର, ଅପ୍ରତିହତ ସାମ୍ରାଜ୍ୟରେ—ଶତ୍ରୁହୀନ ହୋଇ—ଶାସନ କରୁନ୍ତୁ।

Verse 345 (चौपाई)

कह तापस नृप ऐसेइ होऊ। कारन एक कठिन सुनु सोऊ।। कालउ तुअ पद नाइहि सीसा। एक बिप्रकुल छाड़ि महीसा।। तपबल बिप्र सदा बरिआरा। तिन्ह के कोप न कोउ रखवारा।। जौं बिप्रन्ह सब करहु नरेसा। तौ तुअ बस बिधि बिष्नु महेसा।। चल न ब्रह्मकुल सन बरिआई। सत्य कहउँ दोउ भुजा उठाई।। बिप्र श्राप बिनु सुनु महिपाला। तोर नास नहि कवनेहुँ काला।। हरषेउ राउ बचन सुनि तासू। नाथ न होइ मोर अब नासू।। तव प्रसाद प्रभु कृपानिधाना। मो कहुँ सर्ब काल कल्याना।।

kaha tāpasa nṛpa aisei hoū | kārana eka kaṭhina sunu soū || kālau tua pada nāihi sīsā | eka bipra-kula chāḍi mahīsā || tapa-bala bipra sadā bariārā | tinh ke kopa na kou rakhavārā || jaũ bipranha saba karahu naresā | tau tua basa bidhi biṣṇu mahesā || cala na brahma-kula sana bariāī | satya kahauँ dou bhujā uṭhāī || bipra śrāpa binu sunu mahipālā | tora nāsa nahi kavanehu kālā || haraṣeu rāu bacana suni tāsū | nātha na hoi mora aba nāsū || tava prasāda prabhu kṛpānidhānā | mo kahuँ sarba kāla kalyānā ||

The ascetic said, “O king, be it so; yet hear one hard reason. Even Time bows his head at your feet—save in one matter: do not forsake the Brahmin order. By the might of austerity the Brahmin is ever formidable; against his wrath there is no protector. If, O lord of men, you win over all Brahmins, then even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśa are within your sway. But to deal overbearingly with the Brahmin race does not befit you; I speak truth, lifting both arms in witness. Listen, O protector of earth: without a Brahmin’s curse, your ruin shall not come at any time. Hearing these words, the king rejoiced: ‘Lord, then my destruction shall not be now. By your grace, O compassionate Master, may welfare be mine at all times.’”

Verse 346 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एवमस्तु कहि कपटमुनि बोला कुटिल बहोरि। मिलब हमार भुलाब निज कहहु त हमहि न खोरि।।165।।

evam astu kahi kapaṭa-muni bolā kuṭila bahori | milaba hamāra bhulāba nija kahahu ta hamahi na khori ||165||

“ତଥାସ୍ତୁ,” ବୋଲି ସେ ଛଳୀ ସନ୍ନ୍ୟାସୀ ପୁଣି କପଟ ଭାବରେ କହିଲା: “ମୋ ସହିତ ଭେଟିବାକୁ ତୁମେ ଯେ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା କରିଥିଲ, ସେଥିକୁ ଭୁଲିଗଲ। ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା କହ, ଯେପରି ମୋର ଯଥାଧିକାର ହାରି ନ ଯାଉ।”

Verse 347 (चौपाई)

तातें मै तोहि बरजउँ राजा। कहें कथा तव परम अकाजा।। छठें श्रवन यह परत कहानी। नास तुम्हार सत्य मम बानी।। यह प्रगटें अथवा द्विजश्रापा। नास तोर सुनु भानुप्रतापा।। आन उपायँ निधन तव नाहीं। जौं हरि हर कोपहिं मन माहीं।। सत्य नाथ पद गहि नृप भाषा। द्विज गुर कोप कहहु को राखा।। राखइ गुर जौं कोप बिधाता। गुर बिरोध नहिं कोउ जग त्राता।। जौं न चलब हम कहे तुम्हारें। होउ नास नहिं सोच हमारें।। एकहिं डर डरपत मन मोरा। प्रभु महिदेव श्राप अति घोरा।।

tāteṁ maiṁ tohi barajauṁ rājā | kaheṁ kathā tava param akāzā || chaṭheṁ śravaṇa yaha parata kahānī | nāsa tumhāra satya mama bānī || yaha pragaṭeṁ athavā dvija-śrāpā | nāsa tora sunu bhānu-pratāpā || āna upāyaṁ nidhana tava nāhīṁ | jauṁ hari hara kopahiṁ mana māhīṁ || satya nātha pada gahi nṛpa bhāṣā | dvija gura kopa kahahu ko rākhā || rākhai gura jauṁ kopa bidhātā | gura birodha nahiṁ kou jaga trātā || jauṁ na calaba hama kahe tumhāreṁ | hou nāsa nahiṁ soca hamāreṁ || ekahiṁ ḍara ḍarapata mana morā | prabhu mahideva śrāpa ati ghorā ||

Therefore, O King, I forbid you—this tale you tell is most unseemly. Hearing it again and again—now for the sixth time—your ruin is certain; my word shall not prove false. Whether it becomes openly manifest or takes the form of a brahmin’s curse, your destruction is sure—hear me, O radiant one. There is no other remedy against your death if Vishnu and Shiva grow angry in their hearts. True Lord—clasping your feet—I speak as a king: tell me, who can avert the wrath of a brahmin preceptor? If even the Creator cannot restrain a guru’s anger, then in all the world there is none who can save one who opposes the guru. If I do not depart as you have commanded, then let ruin come—there is no concern of mine. It is for one fear alone that my mind trembles: the exceedingly dreadful curse of Lord Mahadeva.

Verse 348 (दोहा/सोरठा)

होहिं बिप्र बस कवन बिधि कहहु कृपा करि सोउ। तुम्ह तजि दीनदयाल निज हितू न देखउँ कोउँ।।166।।

hohiṃ bipra basa kavan bidhi kahahu kṛpā kari sou | tumha taji dīnadayāla nija hitū na dekhauṃ kouṃ ||166||

ଦୟା କରି କହନ୍ତୁ, କେଉଁ ଉପାୟରେ ଜଣେ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ (ଆପଣଙ୍କ) ଅଧୀନରେ ଆସିପାରିବ? ହେ ଦୀନଦୟାଳୁ, ଆପଣ ବ୍ୟତୀତ ମୋର ସତ୍ୟ ମଙ୍ଗଳ ସାଧିବାକୁ ସମର୍ଥ ଅନ୍ୟ କାହାକୁ ମୁଁ ଦେଖୁନି।”

Verse 349 (चौपाई)

सुनु नृप बिबिध जतन जग माहीं। कष्टसाध्य पुनि होहिं कि नाहीं।। अहइ एक अति सुगम उपाई। तहाँ परंतु एक कठिनाई।। मम आधीन जुगुति नृप सोई। मोर जाब तव नगर न होई।। आजु लगें अरु जब तें भयऊँ। काहू के गृह ग्राम न गयऊँ।। जौं न जाउँ तव होइ अकाजू। बना आइ असमंजस आजू।। सुनि महीस बोलेउ मृदु बानी। नाथ निगम असि नीति बखानी।। बड़े सनेह लघुन्ह पर करहीं। गिरि निज सिरनि सदा तृन धरहीं।। जलधि अगाध मौलि बह फेनू। संतत धरनि धरत सिर रेनू।।

sunu nṛpa bibidha jatan jaga māhīṁ. kaṣṭa-sādhya puni hohiṁ ki nāhīṁ.. ahei eka ati sugama upāī. tahāṁ parantu eka kaṭhināī.. mama ādhīna juguti nṛpa soī. mora jāba tava nagara na hoī.. āju lageṁ aru jaba teṁ bhayūṁ. kāhū ke gṛha grāma na gayūṁ.. jaũ na jāũ tava hoi akājū. banā āi asamañjasa ājū.. suni mahīsa बोलेu mṛdu bānī. nātha nigama asi nīti bakhānī.. baṛe saneha laghunha para karahīṁ. giri nija sirani sadā tṛna dharahīṁ.. jaladhi agādha mauli baha phenū. santata dharani dharata sira renū..

“Hear me, O King: in this world men attempt many devices—yet who knows whether they shall be achieved, for they are arduous. There is indeed one remedy most easy; yet in that very matter there lies a single difficulty. That method, O King, is within my power; but if I go, your city will no longer remain mine (i.e., I cannot keep my station here). Until today—ever since I have been what I am—I have not gone to any man’s house or village. If I do not go, some mischief will befall you; and thus today I have fallen into perplexity. Hearing this, Mahesh spoke in gentle words: ‘O Lord, the Veda itself proclaims such a rule of conduct: The great ever show affection to the small; the mountain always bears a blade of grass upon its head. The unfathomable ocean carries foam upon its crest; and the earth continually bears dust upon her head.’”

Verse 350 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अस कहि गहे नरेस पद स्वामी होहु कृपाल। मोहि लागि दुख सहिअ प्रभु सज्जन दीनदयाल।।167।।

asa kahi gahe naresa pada svāmī hohu kṛpāla | mohi lāgi dukha sahia prabhu sajjana dīnadayāla ||167||

ଏମିତି କହି ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଦ ଧରିଲା: “ହେ ପ୍ରଭୁ, ହେ ସ୍ୱାମୀ, କୃପା କରନ୍ତୁ। ମୋ ନିମିତ୍ତେ, ହେ ନାଥ—ଉଦାର ଓ ଅସହାୟଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି କରୁଣାମୟ—ଏହି ଦୁଃଖ ସହନ କରନ୍ତୁ।”

Verse 351 (चौपाई)

जानि नृपहि आपन आधीना। बोला तापस कपट प्रबीना।। सत्य कहउँ भूपति सुनु तोही। जग नाहिन दुर्लभ कछु मोही।। अवसि काज मैं करिहउँ तोरा। मन तन बचन भगत तैं मोरा।। जोग जुगुति तप मंत्र प्रभाऊ। फलइ तबहिं जब करिअ दुराऊ।। जौं नरेस मैं करौं रसोई। तुम्ह परुसहु मोहि जान न कोई।। अन्न सो जोइ जोइ भोजन करई। सोइ सोइ तव आयसु अनुसरई।। पुनि तिन्ह के गृह जेवँइ जोऊ। तव बस होइ भूप सुनु सोऊ।। जाइ उपाय रचहु नृप एहू। संबत भरि संकलप करेहू।।

jāni nṛpahi āpana ādhīnā | bolā tāpasa kapaṭa prabīnā || satya kahauṁ bhūpati sunu tohī | jaga nāhina durlabha kachu mohī || avasi kāja maiṁ karihauṁ torā | mana tana bacana bhagata taiṁ morā || joga juguti tapa mantra prabhāū | phalai tabahiṁ jaba kari-a durāū || jauṁ naresa maiṁ karauṁ rasoī | tumha parusahu mohi jāna na koī || anna so joi-joi bhojana karaī | soi-soi tava āyasu anusaraī || puni tin̐ha ke gṛha jev̐i joū | tava basa hoi bhūpa sunu soū || jāi upāya racahu nṛpa ehū | saṁbata bhari saṅkalapa karehū ||

Knowing the king to be wholly within his grasp, the ascetic—well-practised in deceit—spoke: “I speak the truth, O lord of men; hear me. In this world nothing is hard for me to obtain. Surely I shall accomplish your purpose; with mind, body, and speech I am your ‘devotee’. Yoga, devices, austerity, the power of mantra—these bear fruit only when kept concealed. If, O king, I become your cook, and you alone partake from my hand, let no one else know. Whosoever eats whatever food I provide—he will follow that very command of yours. And further, whoever dines in the houses of those men—he too, O king, will come under your sway. Go then, contrive this plan, O king, and maintain the resolve for a full year.”

Verse 352 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नित नूतन द्विज सहस सत बरेहु सहित परिवार। मैं तुम्हरे संकलप लगि दिनहिंकरिब जेवनार।।168।।

nita nūtana dvija sahasa sata barehu sahita parivāra | maiṁ tumhare saṅkalapa lagi dinahiṁ kariba jevanāra ||168||

“ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ନୂତନ କରି ଏକ ହଜାର ଏକ ଶତ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣଙ୍କୁ, ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାର-ସହିତ, ଭୋଜନ କରାଅ। ତୁମ ନିୟମ-ସଙ୍କଳ୍ପର ନିମିତ୍ତେ ଦିନବେଳର ଭୋଜନ-ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ମୁଁ କରିଦେବି।”

Verse 353 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि भूप कष्ट अति थोरें। होइहहिं सकल बिप्र बस तोरें।। करिहहिं बिप्र होम मख सेवा। तेहिं प्रसंग सहजेहिं बस देवा।। और एक तोहि कहऊँ लखाऊ। मैं एहि बेष न आउब काऊ।। तुम्हरे उपरोहित कहुँ राया। हरि आनब मैं करि निज माया।। तपबल तेहि करि आपु समाना। रखिहउँ इहाँ बरष परवाना।। मैं धरि तासु बेषु सुनु राजा। सब बिधि तोर सँवारब काजा।। गै निसि बहुत सयन अब कीजे। मोहि तोहि भूप भेंट दिन तीजे।। मैं तपबल तोहि तुरग समेता। पहुँचेहउँ सोवतहि निकेता।।

ehi bidhi bhūpa kaṣṭa ati thorẽ। hoihahiṁ sakala bipra basa torẽ॥ karihahiṁ bipra homa makha sevā। tehiṁ prasaṅga sahajehiṁ basa devā॥ aura eka tohi kahauṁ lakhāū। maiṁ ehi beṣa na āuba kāū॥ tumhare uparohita kahuँ rāyā। hari ānaba maiṁ kari nija māyā॥ tapabala tehi kari āpu samānā। rakhihauँ ihā̃ baraṣa paravānā॥ maiṁ dhari tāsu beṣu sunu rājā। saba bidhi tora saṁvāraबा kājā॥ gai nisi bahuta sayana aba kīje। mohi tohi bhūpa bheṁṭa dina tīje॥ maiṁ tapabala tohi turaga sametā। pahū̃cehauँ sovatahi niketā॥

“Thus, O King, your hardship shall be very small; all the Brahmins will come under your sway. They will perform fire-offerings, sacrifices, and due service; and on that occasion even the gods will be won over of themselves. And one more thing I tell you plainly: in this guise I shall not appear before anyone. I shall, O King, by my own occult power, bring away your royal priest. By the force of my austerity I shall absorb him into myself, and keep him here for the appointed term of a year. Assuming his very form—listen, O King—I shall in every way accomplish your business. The night has well-nigh passed; now take your rest: on the third day, O King, you shall meet me. By the might of my penance, with your horse as well, I shall bring you to your dwelling even while you sleep.”

Verse 354 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मैं आउब सोइ बेषु धरि पहिचानेहु तब मोहि। जब एकांत बोलाइ सब कथा सुनावौं तोहि।।169।।

maĩ āuba soi beṣu dhari pahicānehū taba mohi | jaba ekānta bolāi saba kathā sunāvaũ tohi ||169||

“ସେଇ ରୂପରେ ମୁଁ ଆସିବି; ତେବେ ତୁମେ ମୋତେ ଚିହ୍ନିବ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ଗୁପ୍ତରେ ଏକାନ୍ତକୁ ଡାକିବି, ସେତେବେଳେ ସମଗ୍ର କଥା ତୁମକୁ କହିଦେବି।”

Verse 355 (चौपाई)

सयन कीन्ह नृप आयसु मानी। आसन जाइ बैठ छलग्यानी।। श्रमित भूप निद्रा अति आई। सो किमि सोव सोच अधिकाई।। कालकेतु निसिचर तहँ आवा। जेहिं सूकर होइ नृपहि भुलावा।। परम मित्र तापस नृप केरा। जानइ सो अति कपट घनेरा।। तेहि के सत सुत अरु दस भाई। खल अति अजय देव दुखदाई।। प्रथमहि भूप समर सब मारे। बिप्र संत सुर देखि दुखारे।। तेहिं खल पाछिल बयरु सँभरा। तापस नृप मिलि मंत्र बिचारा।। जेहि रिपु छय सोइ रचेन्हि उपाऊ। भावी बस न जान कछु राऊ।।

sayana kīnha nṛpa āyasu mānī. āsana jāi baiṭha chala-gyānī.. śramita bhūpa nidrā ati āī. so kimi sova soca adhikāī.. kālaketu nisi-cara tahaṁ āvā. jehiṁ sūkāra hoi nṛpahi bhulāvā.. parama mitra tāpasa nṛpa kerā. jānai so ati kapaṭa ghanerā.. tehi ke sata suta aru dasa bhāī. khala ati ajaya deva dukhadāī.. prathamahĩ bhūpa samara saba māre. bipra santa sura dekhi dukhāre.. tehiṁ khala pāchila bayaru saṁbharā. tāpasa nṛpa mili mantra bicārā.. jehi ripu chaya soi racenhĩ upāū. bhāvī basa na jāna kachu rāū..

The king, accepting the command, lay down to sleep; and the crafty pretender to wisdom went and sat upon a seat. Worn with toil, heavy sleep came upon the monarch; yet how could he truly sleep, while worry only grew? Then the night-roaming demon Kālaketu arrived there—he who, becoming a boar, would lead the king astray. He was counted the king’s closest friend in the guise of an ascetic; but know him to be steeped in dense deceit. He had seven sons and ten brothers—villains, most hard to conquer, bringers of sorrow to the gods. At first the king slew them all in battle; brahmins, saints, and the celestials, seeing it, were grieved. That wicked one then nursed his former enmity; the ascetic and the king met and weighed their counsel. They devised a stratagem for the enemy’s ruin; yet, bound by destiny, the king understood nothing at all.

Verse 356 (दोहा/सोरठा)

रिपु तेजसी अकेल अपि लघु करि गनिअ न ताहु। अजहुँ देत दुख रबि ससिहि सिर अवसेषित राहु।।170।।

ripu tejasī akela api laghu kari gani-a na tāhu | ajahũ det dukha rabi sasihi sira avaseṣita rāhu ||170||

ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଶତ୍ରୁ ଯଦିଓ ଏକା ଦଣ୍ଡାୟମାନ, ତଥାପି ତାକୁ ଛୋଟ ବୋଲି ଗଣିବା ଉଚିତ ନୁହେଁ। ଏବେ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାହୁର ଅବଶେଷ ଭାଗ ଉଚ୍ଚରେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କୁ କଷ୍ଟ ଦେଇଥାଏ।

Verse 357 (चौपाई)

तापस नृप निज सखहि निहारी। हरषि मिलेउ उठि भयउ सुखारी।। मित्रहि कहि सब कथा सुनाई। जातुधान बोला सुख पाई।। अब साधेउँ रिपु सुनहु नरेसा। जौं तुम्ह कीन्ह मोर उपदेसा।। परिहरि सोच रहहु तुम्ह सोई। बिनु औषध बिआधि बिधि खोई।। कुल समेत रिपु मूल बहाई। चौथे दिवस मिलब मैं आई।। तापस नृपहि बहुत परितोषी। चला महाकपटी अतिरोषी।। भानुप्रतापहि बाजि समेता। पहुँचाएसि छन माझ निकेता।। नृपहि नारि पहिं सयन कराई। हयगृहँ बाँधेसि बाजि बनाई।।

tāpasa nṛpa nija sakhahi nihārī | haraṣi mileu uṭhi bhayu sukhārī || mitrahi kahi saba kathā sunāī | jātudhāna bolā sukha pāī || aba sādheuṁ ripu sunahu naresā | jauṁ tumha kīnha mora upadesā || parihari soca rahahu tumha soī | binu auṣadha biādhi bidhi khoī || kula sameta ripu mūla bahāī | cauthē divasa milaba maiṁ āī || tāpasa nṛpahi bahuta paritoṣī | calā mahā-kapaṭī ati-roṣī || bhānu-pratāpahi bāji sametā | pahuṁcāesi chana mājha niketā || nṛpahi nāri paiṁ sayana karāī | haya-gṛhaṁ bāṁdhesi bāji banāī ||

Seeing the king’s own friend, the ascetic rose and met him with joy, appearing greatly pleased. Calling him ‘friend,’ he recounted the whole tale; the rākṣasa spoke, gratified at heart. “I have now managed the enemy—listen, O king—since you followed the counsel I gave. Cast off all anxiety and sleep in peace; without any medicine, Providence itself has removed the disease. With his whole house the foe has been uprooted and swept away. On the fourth day I shall come to meet you again.” Thus greatly satisfying the king, that master of deceit departed, inwardly seething with rage. He conveyed Bhānupratāp, along with the horse, to the house in a moment. He made the king lie down beside the woman, and had the horse tethered in the stable.